Microneedling causes some degree of damage to the cells of your skin, as they enter into a wound healing process. This is believed to lead to new cell production and possibly stimulate new hair growth at the root level. It may be possible to accelerate hair growth with microneedling, but you’ll want to be careful not to overdo it. Overdoing it can cause those very unwanted effects like redness and irritation.

In this guide, we find out the following: Can Microneedling Damage Hair Follicles, Can derma roller damage follicles, hair shedding after microneedling, and can microneedling improve hair growth.

Can Microneedling Damage Hair Follicles

Microneedling is a cosmetic treatment that involves the use of a medical-grade device to create tiny punctures in the skin. This can be done manually or with an electric device called a dermaroller. Microneedling has become an increasingly popular treatment for people who want to rejuvenate their skin. People use it to treat acne scars, fine lines, and wrinkles. What is microneedling?

Microneedling is also known as collagen induction therapy (CIT), percutaneous collagen induction (PCI) and micro needling therapy (MNT). It involves creating thousands of tiny wounds on the skin surface by rolling over it with these needles which are usually 1-2mm long but can be anywhere between 0.5mm and 4mm depending on what you are treating (acne scars vs wrinkles etc). These wounds trigger an inflammatory response from your body which induces fibroblast proliferation resulting in production of new collagen fibers as well as elastin fibers – both essential for maintaining healthy skin as well as preventing sagging/wrinkles.”

Microneedling is an effective treatment for acne scars. It can also be used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, but it’s not a replacement for fillers, which are more effective at filling out deep grooves in the skin. Microneedling is often used in conjunction with fillers like Botox or collagen injections to smooth out the skin further than microneedling alone would allow.

Some people choose this treatment because they want an alternative to invasive procedures like laser and dermabrasion–the idea being that if you’re only going to have one thing done on your face anyway (and who isn’t?), why not do something less painful?

What is microneedling?

Microneedling is a process that involves using a device to puncture the skin. The process is often referred to as derma-rolling or collagen induction therapy, and the punctures are typically made with needles that are between 0.30 and 1.5 mm in length.

The idea behind microneedling is to stimulate collagen production by creating micro injuries on your face (or wherever else you want it done). This forces your body’s natural healing process into overdrive, which leads to plumper, firmer skin with fewer wrinkles–in theory at least!

Does microneedling damage hair follicles?

When you use a microneedling device, you are creating tiny wounds in the skin. These wounds are then repaired by collagen and other proteins, which results in thicker and healthier skin. However, if these microinjuries go too deep or are not properly treated with topical steroids or antibiotics after the procedure, scarring can occur. This can result in permanent damage to hair follicles and cause them to fall out–if left untreated for too long or done too aggressively by someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing (or both).

It’s important that you use proper technique when performing microneedling on yourself at home so that your risk of damaging your hair follicles is minimized as much as possible!

Can microneedling cure receding hairline?

If you have a receding hairline or bald spot, microneedling could be the solution for you. It’s important to note that this is not a permanent fix and will not work for everyone–it depends on your skin type, how much time and money you’re willing to invest into it, and how often you choose to do microneedling sessions.

Microneedling does not actually grow new hairs; rather it helps stimulate new growth by increasing blood flow which allows nutrients like oxygen and protein into the area where the skin is damaged or thinned out due to male pattern baldness. The process involves puncturing tiny holes (about 0.5mm deep) into your scalp with tiny needles that are about 1mm long so they don’t penetrate all the way down through your skull bone but instead just poke through its surface layer of epidermis (the topmost layer). This causes inflammation around these wounds which leads them healing faster than normal skin wounds would heal themselves without treatment–and faster than untreated areas of baldness would heal themselves over time due to lack of nutrients reaching them!

How long does it take for a microneeding treatment to work?

While microneedling does not produce immediate results, it’s important to remember that the effects of the treatment are cumulative. You may not see any improvement in your skin after one session, but if you continue getting treatments regularly over time, then you’ll start seeing improvements in skin texture and tone. On average, it takes 2-3 sessions before you start seeing visible results; however, these results aren’t always permanent because they can fade away over time if you don’t maintain them by continuing with weekly maintenance treatments or regular facials at a spa or dermatologist’s office.

Research indicates that microneedling may have benefits for those with thinning hair or a receding hairline.

Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that can be used to treat acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles. It’s minimally invasive and safe. The procedure has been approved by the FDA and is considered one of the most effective treatments for improving skin texture.

There are several different ways in which microneedling may help people with thinning hair or receding hairlines:

• It stimulates the production of new collagen in your skin (which can help reduce signs of aging).

hair shedding after microneedling

After trying countless shampoos that claim to thicken your fine locks, serums designed to combat your excessive shedding, and even outlandish at-home hair growth treatments from TikTok — all to no avail — you might be looking to take your anti-hair-loss efforts to the next level. One option: A microneedling treatment for your scalp, performed in-office by a hair care pro. But what does the procedure involve, exactly, and can it actually help you get the Rapunzel-like locks you’ve been longing for?

Here, experts break down everything you need to know microneedling for hair loss — including the benefits, risks, and the treatment process — before you book an appointment.

What is microneedling for hair loss?

A microneedling for hair loss treatment is exactly what it sounds like: A hair care professional will run a manual or motorized device equipped with fine, tiny needles across the scalp, which will penetrate just into the upper portion of the dermis — the layer of skin where the hair follicle lies, says Rae Lynne Kinler, M.D., an expert hair restoration surgeon and the clinical director of Ziering Medical of Greenwich, Connecticut. All that puncturing can help stimulate blood flow and collagen production, but more significantly, it creates “microchannels” that enable topical treatments for hair loss, such as minoxidil and finasteride, to be more effective, she says. “It helps the absorption of topical treatments to be a little bit better because they’re not being blocked by the skin,” she explains. “…It actually gets into the level of the hair follicle and can potentially make it start thickening up the existing hair, putting it into an active growth phase, making it stronger, getting it longer, and making it a little bit darker in color.” (FTR, the color change is extremely subtle, if detectable at all — you won’t arrive as a blonde and leave as a brunette.)

The minimally invasive procedure is also believed to cause the scalp to release platelets and hair growth factors in the traumatized areas, which help thicken the existing follicles, adds Andrew Kashian, the founder of Solve Clinics, a hair transplant clinic in Chicago. “With microneedling, people think, ‘Oh, there’s new follicles growing,’ but oftentimes that’s not the case,” he says. “It’s the thin follicles in that area that are getting thicker and back to their normal, healthy state, so it gives off the aesthetic of new growth when in reality it’s just a thickening of what’s already there.” To enhance the process, some clinics will also combine the treatment with injections of a patient’s own platelet-rich plasma, which is thought to release growth factors needed in the wound healing process and, in turn, may promote hair growth, says Kashian. “The end result is your hair gets thicker faster, and the treatment outcome is significantly more substantial,” he says. (

Who could benefit from microneedling for hair loss?

If you’re dealing with general hair loss or thinning, or you’re suffering from androgenetic alopecia — a genetic hair loss disorder that’s caused by an excessive response to the hormones androgens — a microneedling treatment might do you some good, says Kashian. “A lot of times we use it where there’s those little, fine, miniaturized hairs — or baby hairs — that are on their way out,” adds Dr. Kinler. “Essentially, they’re the ones getting ready to be lost permanently, [but] we can turn that around and make it a fuller, stronger, thicker hair.”

People who have already lost all their hair in a particular area or on the entire scalp aren’t going to see much, if any, benefit, she says. In those cases, the bulbs of the hair follicles — which receive signals to form a new hair and grow it up out of the scalp — may not be producing hair, or they might have “shriveled up and died” entirely, says Dr. Kinler. Since microneedling increases the density of existing hair — but doesn’t stimulate brand new follicle growth — doing the treatment in a bald area is “a lost cause,” adds Kashian. Instead, hair transplant surgery, which involves removing small pieces of scalp with hair follicles from a donor site and grafting them on a bald or thinning area of the scalp, is your best bet, agree Dr. Kinler and Kashian. (

Unsurprisingly, microneedling isn’t recommended for folks who already have a full head of hair, says Dr. Kinler. “You can actually damage the hair that’s on the outside of the scalp and you can damage the hair follicles underneath the scalp, especially if the needle depth is too much,” she explains. (FTR, the needles usually penetrate 1.5 millimeters into the skin, says Kashian.)

What are the risks of microneedling for hair loss?

As with any procedure that involves cutting the skin and creating an open wound, microneedling for hair loss does come with the risk of infection, says Kashian. That said, “the risk of infection for microneedling is extremely small,” he explains. “The size of those incisions is so little that, in our years doing thousands of these in our clinic, we’ve never seen an infection from one of our patients.”

A larger concern, particularly if you receive the treatment at a medical spa or a clinic that doesn’t specialize in microneedling for hair, is permanent hair damage and loss, says Dr. Kinler. Providers who aren’t trained in the procedure may increase the needle depth too much, which can cause damage to the hair bulb when it enters the scalp, she explains. “I have seen patients come in with superficial breakage of the hair shaft at the scalp, which obviously takes a while to regenerate,” she says. “But I’ve also seen patients with areas of patchy, permanent loss where the needle has penetrated [too deep] and actually knocked off the hair bulb so it’s no longer able to regenerate a new hair shaft. Then they have patchy areas of baldness that they didn’t have before, and then there’s really nothing much you can do with that other than transplantation to fix those areas.”

For that same reason, Dr. Kinler cautions against giving yourself an at-home microneedling treatment for hair loss. “There’s a higher risk of causing damage to the hair, so I don’t recommend that option,” she says. “I prefer for it to be done in a qualified, trained physician’s office who deals specifically with hair.” (Wait, should you be dermarolling your face at home?)

Given the potential risks and the availability of “superior” hair loss treatments, Dr. Kinler generally steers clear of microneedling for hair loss or thinning. Instead, she often recommends KeraLase, a laser treatment available at dermatologists and hair restoration clinics that creates those same beneficial microchannels by disrupting the water bonds in your scalp — no needles required. “It doesn’t disrupt the hair follicle, it doesn’t disrupt the bulb, and it doesn’t disrupt the external hair shaft,” she says. “…It’s a very popular treatment that we offer, and we don’t see any of that risk of damaging the external hair or the hair follicle. We don’t see any patchy hair loss or permanent hair loss with this treatment.”

Compared to microneedling, Dr. Kinler says KeraLase is easier to tolerate, particularly in the sensitive areas of the scalp, such as the front hairline and the sides of the head. The treatments take about the same amount of time to complete, though KeraLase is given more regularly; the first four treatments are spread four weeks apart, and your provider may recommend additional treatments roughly a year later, she explains.

What to Expect During a Microneedling for Hair Loss Treatment

If you chat with a hair loss expert and decide microneedling is your best course of action, there are a few things you’ll want to know ahead of your appointment. Before your microneedling for hair loss treatment, make sure your scalp is freshly cleaned and free of any hair products, as they may get into the wounds and potentially cause an infection, says Kashian. At the clinic, your hair care professional might apply a topical or local anesthetic to ease any pain, then start running the roller over the affected areas to create microtrauma, says Dr. Kinler. The needles will feel similar to a rubber band snapping against your skin, and you’ll experience some redness and bleeding, says Kashian. All in all, the procedure typically takes just 20 to 30 minutes, adds Dr. Kinler. A microneedling treatment with PRP injections, however, might take 45 to 60 minutes, says Kashian.

If your provider recommends applying a topical hair growth treatment, you’ll wait 24 hours after the procedure to do so, as the retinoic acid in those products can cause irritation if applied before the scalp is healed, says Dr. Kinler. You’ll also want to ditch the shampoo, conditioner, and alcohol-based hair products for two to three days following a microneedling treatment, she says. “We want to give the skin a chance to heal, and we don’t want to introduce anything that may be detrimental to that,” she explains. “We also want to give the growth factors a chance to get fully absorbed into the scalp.” It’s also key to keep your scalp out of direct sunlight, as it could lead to hypersensitivity and hyperpigmentation, she adds.

Most importantly, remember that this isn’t a one-and-done treatment. “Consistency is key — this isn’t an overnight fix,” says Kashian. “You can’t microneedle once, wait a month, and think your hair is basically going to get thick. You have to stick with it.” For the first six to eight months, you’ll likely need to get a treatment every four to six weeks, then once every six to 12 months after that, says Dr. Kinler. How long you continue the treatment after those first eight months is entirely up to you. “We’ll take photographs so we can see the changes that the patients are having, but sometimes they either just don’t feel like they’re getting enough of a result and then they opt to discontinue the treatment, while some patients come in once a year — they feel like the benefits of the treatment are lasting that long,” she says.

Regardless of how many rounds of microneedling you receive, you may not see an improvement in your hair loss or thinning if you don’t apply those topical growth treatments, such as minoxidil or finasteride. “The only time I’ve ever really seen microneedling help is when you combine it with grow factor therapy, which is something that is external that is applied to the scalp topically after the little microchannels are created,” says Dr. Kinler. And research has yet to show the treatment’s effects without these topicals: While a 2016 study on mice found that microneedling on its own increased hair growth, the available human studies that demonstrate the procedure’s benefits all involved treating participants simultaneously with microneedling and topical growth factor treatments.

So, should you get microneedling for hair loss?

If you’re dealing with hair loss or thinning, microneedling can be an effective way of boosting your locks’ thickness and giving you the look of a full, luscious head of hair, says Kashian. That said, the treatment doesn’t resolve the issue at the root of your hair loss, and neither microneedling or KeraLase will stop the progression of it, adds Dr. Kinler. “These things are helpful to improve the existing hair on the head — make it fuller, make it thicker,” she explains. “They just give [the patient] a little bit more confidence, either as they wait for surgery or to become a candidate for surgery. Even if they say they never want to have a procedure, [these treatments can] help move them along in terms of improving their confidence and the appearance of their hair.”

Can derma roller damage follicles

Derma Rolling (Some may be more familiar with the term microneedling)  is where you use a device called a Derma Roller or “Microneedle” to roll across the skin. This device uses little needles that, when rolled across the skin, actually puncture pinpoint holes in it. We know this sounds painful but it is really not as bad as it sounds because these punctures are truly so small. The tiny punctures result in little injuries to the skin surface. This treatment has been proven to increase blood flow to the punctured area, resulting in an increase in the numbers of growth factors and inflammatory mediators. The Growth Factors and Inflammatory Mediators then flood to that area and stimulate the skin to heal itself or if used for Hair Restoration, grow hair in that area.  Derma Rolling is not a new treatment. It has been around for years and has been used in many different procedures such as laser therapy for skin resurfacing.

What are growth factors?

I’m sure you’ve heard this time and time again but the outward appearance of our skin is really just a direct reflection of what’s happening down below the surface. Your body is bound to age over time. (That is a given!) With some of the most common signs of “getting up there” being fine lines/wrinkles, loss of elasticity, hair thinning, and uneven skin tone. The average patient is immediately drawn to Botox and Fillers to minimize their lines and wrinkles but what they may NOT know is there is a far less invasive option. Que Derma Rolling and Growth Factors!

So let’s get technical here for a minute. Growth factors are large proteins that float between cells communicating crucial messages relevant to growth, healing, and survival. (They are also found in ABUNDANCE throughout the body.) Growth factors are manufactured by all types of cells. In the skin, this includes those comprising both the outermost epidermal layer and in the deeper dermis. I’m talking about the keratinocytes, (what you can plainly see in the mirror), and the fibroblasts (collagen) and melanocytes (pigment-making cells) nestled beneath. Then when these proteins bind to receptors on the cell surfaces, they send off commands to repair and rejuvenate the skin.

Gail Naughton, a regenerative medicine researcher and growth-factor formulator, compares growth factors to “keys”, and receptors to “locks”. “When the key clicks into the lock, it activates the cell to do things, like grow and divide, make more collagen and elastin, or increase blood flow.” But by our late 20s, that lock-and-key mechanism begins to get rusty. The skin starts producing smaller quantities of growth factors — resulting in less cell growth, and thinner, less supple skin.

Derma rolling with growth factors will not only remove the outer layer of skin but it has an additional kick to encourage healing and skin growth. A win win, especially for an increase in hair growth after dealing with  hair-thinning and hair-loss!

What are inflammatory mediators?

Inflammation is an immediate response triggered by damage to living tissues. The inflammatory mediator response is a defense mechanism that is present in higher organisms to protect us from harmful infections and injury to our bodies. The purpose of an Inflammatory Mediator is to localize and eliminate the destructive agent and to remove the damaged tissue components so that the body can begin to heal itself. The Inflammatory Mediator response consists of changes in blood flow, an increase in the permeability of blood vessels, and the migration of proteins and white blood cells from the circulation to the site of tissue damage.

What size of Derma Roller is right for me?

The important thing to understand about Derma Rollers is that they come in different depths. Some areas of the body have a different dermal thickness which means the size of the Roller will vary depending on the section. Another reason the Derma Roller size changes is because people in general have different dermal thicknesses. Keep in mind, if the Dermal Roller depth is too short, you won’t see the results you are looking for. If the Dermal Roller depth is too deep, it may cause more pain & injury than necessary.

The area you are shooting for to derma roller is an area where the stem cells reside. This is called the “bulge area”. This is where growth in the hair follicles is initiated and is usually around one to one and a half millimeters thick. Ultimately, the best way to find a depth that works best for your scalp and to avoid limited results or injury would be to consult with your doctor.

What are the risks associated with derma rolling and microneedling?

There are a few risks or side effects associated with derma rolling.

How often should I derma roll?

Due to these risk factors, daily treatments are not recommended when it comes to derma rolling. It is best to start slow. Try once a week and see how your body reacts. Then move to twice a week. You should never derma roll more than twice a week. It is best to only go over your problem areas one time in a single treatment. You don’t want to repeatedly go over the scalp as this could cause more injury and possibly infection.

The best way to derma roll safely and with as little risk as possible is to visit your doctor for your derma rolling procedures. Even though you can buy a derma roller online,  they are often not at the depth you need for derma rolling the scalp and you may see more side effects than you would by going to your doctor for this hair restoration service.

Is derma rolling right for me?

Out of the many hair restoration services we offer here at Mountain West Medical, derma rolling is on the low end (price-wise) for treating hair-thinning and hair-loss. Derma Rolling, as mentioned previously, is a very beneficial treatment for a variety of concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, and hair-loss or thinning. Treatments vary depending on the severity of the problem. The best way to know if Derma Rolling is right for you and how many treatments are recommended for optimal results, schedule a consultation at Mountain West Medical. We will give you a detailed overview of what to expect during your procedure, recovery time, and pricing/payment options.

can microneedling improve hair growth

By now, we’re well-versed in the art of microneedling for our skin’s sake. No matter if we’re talking about the professional or the at-home kind, we’ve graduated from microneedling 101 to earn a symbolic degree in the collagen-boosting skin treatment. We know it’s an effective way to diminish acne scars, disguise dark circles, and plump up lips. We even know the best serums to pair it with. What we didn’t know, however, was that the potential perks of microneedling extend past our skin to include our hair.

Allegedly, microneedling can boost scalp health in such a way as to treat and prevent hair loss, keeping hair full and healthy for longer. To find out more, we tapped experts Veronica Joseph and Morgan Rabach to let us in on everything there is to know about microneedling for hair growth.

Keep scrolling to learn how microneedling can boost collagen (and hair growth) in your scalp.

What Is Microneedling?

Microneedling is a dermatological procedure that involves piercing the skin with tiny needles to stimulate elastin and collagen production, thereby treating various skin concerns (e.g. reducing the appearance of scars, fine lines, wrinkles, etc.)—and even hair loss.

Benefits of Microneedling

To fully grasp the benefits of microneedling for the hair and scalp, we first need to understand the science behind microneedling. “Microneedling works by mechanical controlled injury into the dermis,” Rabach tells us. (The word injury has a negative connotation. In this case, each “injury” is minuscule, nowhere near large enough to cause pain or scarring. In most cases, the only physical change in the skin you should see after using a derma roller is a little redness). “Specifically, we use tiny needles that get pushed perpendicularly into the dermis which causes a healing reaction in the skin. Growth factors that promote healing are released and these same growth factors may promote hair growth. The trauma of the microneedling may also stimulate stem cells to grow which are helpful to grow new hair,” she continues.

This helps to explain why microneedling has emerged as a buzzy new treatment for alopecia (hair loss), comments Joseph. “Studies currently indicate that there are positive results when microneedling is used alongside oral or topical medications when treating alopecia. When microneedling is utilized as an adjunct therapy for alopecia, results present an increase in hair density, thickness, and the quality of hair regrowth.” However, “Further research and studies are required to determine if microneedling is as effective as a standalone therapy for alopecia,” she notes.

How to Prepare for Microneedling

If you’re considering microneedling to treat or prevent hair loss, you’ll want to start out with a clean and healthy scalp. This will ensure that you reap the most benefits from the procedure. And while the ideal candidate for microneedling would have no open wounds or acne, it is really open to all people and skin types, notes Rabach.

Before beginning any microneedling session, it’s important to first consult a licensed expert who can customize the treatment to meet your needs. “Preparation for hair loss and microneedling treatment should be through consultation with a licensed professional dermatologist or trichologist. At that point bespoke pre-procedure precautions and requirements should be determined,” explains Joseph.

What to Expect During a Microneedling Treatment

A typical microneedling session may last 45 minutes to an hour—give or take. First, your derm or trichologist will cleanse your scalp or the exact area where you would like to stimulate hair growth. Then, using a topical serum they will numb said area so that the treatment is not painful. Finally, they will begin microneedling by puncturing the skin using an electric skin needling pen. Following the procedure, you can expect to see new hair growth in three to six months, confirms Rabach.

Microneedling vs. Microinfusion

In the world of microneedling treatments, dermarolling isn’t the only player. Microinfusion is another popular cosmetic procedure that gently stamps tiny needles over the skin in order to achieve a healthy and radiant complexion. However, unlike microneedling which uses hundreds of non-channeled needles to treat the skin—followed up with a separate application of serum—microinfusion involves about 20 to 30 hollow needles that deliver nutrients directly into the dermis. This may lead to more immediate results and less downtime than microneedling. And when it comes to preventing hair loss, a study shows that both microneedling alone and microinfusion with minoxidil have been shown to be effective in treating alopecia.

At-Home vs. In Office/By a Professional

Although microneedling can be done at home, both experts recommend scheduling an in-office treatment with a licensed professional. Why? “So that microneedling can support adjunct therapies, outcomes can be tracked and documented, and for the safe administration of therapies,” explains Joseph. Rabach adds, “There are microneedling pens that you can buy for home but they are usually less than 1 millimeter. This at-home length is too short to effect change where the hair follicles are, which is usually 2.5 to 3 millimeters deep.”

Potential Side Effects

Since microneedling is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment, side effects are generally minimal. These include localized swelling and bleeding, soreness a week after treatment, and increased sun sensitivity for up to two weeks post-treatment, notes Rabach. Skin irritations, bruising, and peeling are also common, yet mild, side effects following microneedling, adds Joseph. Still, no matter the tool used in your treatment—stamps or rollers—microneedling is thought to be relatively safe, Joseph tells us.

The Cost

As with any cosmetic procedure, cost will vary depending on a number of details: where you live, your provider, treatment goals, the number of sessions required, the area being treated, etc. For this reason, a single microneedling session can range anywhere from $200 to $800. “[Cost] and the expectations from microneedling as it relates to hair loss will be determined by factors that are specific to each individual client. A curated and tailored treatment plan can be established at consultation with the licensed practitioner,” says Joseph.

Aftercare

Most facial derma rollers are studded with minuscule needles so as to not irritate the gentle skin. However, larger derma rollers are widely accepted for scalp use, since they’re able to better infiltrate through the hair—not to mention any scalp build-up that might be present.

Post-treatment, “There may be slight bruising or redness in the treatment area of the scalp,” notes Joseph. So to calm and soothe the scalp, apply a serum like Oribe’s Serene Scalp Leave-On Treatment ($48). It is meant to help mitigate any minor irritation or redness that could result from the practice. Plus, it’s just luxurious.

The Final Takeaway

Originally lauded by skincare enthusiasts for improving your overall complexion, microneedling has now forayed into the area of treating and preventing hair loss. It has become a multipurpose cosmetic procedure that can benefit skin health—no matter if it concerns the face or scalp. Regarding the latter, microneedling has shown promising results for those seeking to promote hair growth, but more information is still needed to fully understand its scope and effectiveness. “Studies that use microneedling alongside traditional therapies have presented favorable results in the short term. Because microneedling for the treatment of alopecia is a novel therapy additional research is required to define standardized protocols,” concludes Joseph.